Offline print method for printing image data in a removable storage medium based on output control data in the same medium

ABSTRACT

A digital copying machine comprising an image scanner part for reading an original image to reproduce image data of the original image, a laser printer part for printing an image according to given image data, a removable memory card, and a reader/writer of the memory card is provided. For offline print, the image data of a document prepared in an external computer and output control data are stored into the memory card. By installing this memory card in the digital copying machine, the digital copying machine prints the image data read out from the memory card offline in a desired output form. For offline image input, read control data obtained by using an image scanner such as a read gradation level, a read size, density, and the degree of edge enhancement is stored in the removable memory card using software executed in an external computer. By installing this storage medium in the digital copying machine and setting an original to be read in the digital copying machine, the original image is read according to the read control data stored in the memory card, and the obtained image data is stored into the memory card.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a digital copying machine and an imagereader provided with the functions of offline image input and outputusing a removable storage medium.

Recently, the demand for high speed and multi-functional digital copyingmachines has arisen, and a digital copying machine provided with afacsimile function, a printer function, etc. in addition to a copyfunction has been developed. A conventional digital copying machine willbe described below, referring to the figures. FIG. 13 is a block diagramwhich shows a flow chart for an image signal of a conventional digitalcopying machine.

As shown in FIG. 13, an image sensor 71 scans an original to convertreflected light from the original to an electric signal. An analog imagesignal from image sensor 71 is then converted to a digital image signalby an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 72. The converted digital imagesignal is subjected to image processing such as edge enhancement,trimming, and halftone processing, and edit processing in an imageprocessor 73. An image signal given by image processor 73 is buffered ina buffer memory 74 for speed control to be given to a laser driver 78.Laser driver 78 drives a semiconductor laser 79 to form an electrostaticlatent image by laser beams given by semiconductor laser 79.

The digital copying machine further comprises a central processing unit(CPU) 85, a local area network (LAN) controller 80, a page memory 84, aparallel interface (I/F) 81, a communication control unit (CCU) 82, anda compressor/expander 86 which are mutually connected by a CPU bus 83.

CPU 85 comprises a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory(ROM) and controls the entire digital copying machine. Page memory 84has capacity that can store at least one page of image data and isconnected to buffer memory 74. Image data stored in page memory 84 isgiven to laser driver 78 through buffer memory 74 to be printed onpaper.

LAN controller 80 communicates with an external equipment through alocal area network (LAN). When the digital copying machine is used as aremote printer, an external equipment such as a computer transmits aprint control command and image data to the digital copying machinethrough the LAN. CPU 85 stores the image data received through the LANinto the page memory according to the received print control command.

Using parallel I/F 81, the digital copying machine and an externalequipment can be connected one to one. When the digital copying machineis used as a printer for the external equipment, the external equipmenttransmits a print control command and image data to the digital copyingmachine through the parallel I/F of the digital copying machine. Whenthe image scanner function of the digital copying machine is used by theexternal equipment, the external equipment transmits an image readcontrol command to the digital copying machine through parallel I/F 81,and read image data is transmitted to the external equipment from thedigital copying machine.

CCU 82 communicates with an external facsimile through a public networkusing a modem 87. Image data received by the facsimile is expanded incompressor/expander 86, transferred to page memory 84, and printed.Also, image data read for facsimile transmission is stored in pagememory 84, compressed in compressor/expander 86, and transmitted to theexternal facsimile through CCU 82 and modem 87.

Generally, a high-speed digital plain paper copier (PPC) which iscapable of copying more than tens of sheets per minute is located in acommon space such as a copy room or a hallway. When copying a documentwhich is prepared by a personal computer, etc. in plural copies, a userhas to print the original by a nearby printer, take the original to aplace where a digital copying machine is located, and then copy theoriginal in plural copies using a sorter, etc. of the digital copyingmachine. Especially, when a personal computer used by a user is notconnected through a LAN, the remote print function of the digitalcopying machine can not be used, so that copying must be done asmentioned above. In this case, an original image is once printed onpaper before copying it, and therefore the image is inevitably degraded.

When a personal computer used by a user is connected to the digitalcopying machine through a LAN, the user can use the remote printfunction of the digital copying machine. Therefore, the user candirectly utilize a function such as a sorter of the digital copyingmachine from his personal computer. However, when copying by using theremote print function of the digital copying machine, the user has to goto a distant place where the digital copying machine is located to takeprinted paper. Also, when copying in large amount using the remote printfunction, problems such as using up paper and paper jam are likely tooccur. To solve these troubles, the user also has to go to the placewhere the digital copying machine is located. Thus, the utility value ofthe remote (online) print function in a high-speed digital copyingmachine is not very high.

When using the image scanner function of the digital copying machinefrom a user's personal computer online by using the parallel I/F and theLAN, similar problems arise. That is, the user has to go to a distantplace where the digital copying machine is located to set an original inthe image scanner part of the digital copying machine. Therefore, whenthe digital copying machine and the user's computer are located adistance apart, it is not useful to use the image scanner function ofthe digital copying machine online.

Next, a conventional image reader will be described. FIG. 21 is a blockdiagram showing a flow chart for an image signal of a conventional imagereader. An image sensor 171 scans an original to convert reflected lightfrom the original to an electric signal. An analog image signal given byimage sensor 171 is converted to a digital image signal by an A/Dconverter 172, and given to an image processor 173. Image processor 173performs image processing such as edge enhancement, trimming, halftoneprocessing, pixel density conversion, and gradation level conversion aswell as edit processing on the digital image signal. Image data given byimage processor 173 is stored in a buffer memory 174.

For controlling the entire image reader, a CPU 185 comprising a RAM anda ROM is provided. CPU 185, image processor 173, buffer memory 174, aDMA (direct memory access) controller 180, and a small computer systeminterface (SCSI) controller 181 are mutually connected through a CPU bus183.

DMA controller 180 transfers image data stored in buffer memory 174 toSCSI controller 181 directly. An external equipment such as a computertransmits a control command for the image reader to the image readerthrough the SCSI controller and receives image data from the imagereader. CPU 185 sets the degree of edge enhancement, the gradation levelof image data, read density, etc. according to the image read controlcommand.

Such an image reader is connected to an external equipment such as apersonal computer one to one using an interface such as a SCSI.Therefore, the image reader is used exclusively by the user of theconnected personal computer. When another user uses the image reader,the user has to use the personal computer connected to the image readeror connect the image reader to his personal computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a digital copying machine and an imagereader provided with an interface for offline image input and outputusing a removable storage medium.

According to a first aspect of a digital copying machine of the presentinvention, the digital copying machine comprises means for reading anoriginal image to reproduce the image data of the original image (e.g.an image scanner), means for printing an image according to given imagedata (e.g. a laser printer), means for accessing a removable storagemedium (e.g. a reader/writer of a memory card), and means forcontrolling the printing means according to output control data storedin the storage medium so that the printing means can print an imageaccording to image data stored in the storage medium.

Preferably, the digital copying machine further comprises a sorter forsorting printed paper, a finisher for stapling printed paper, and meansfor controlling the sorter or the finisher according to output controldata stored in the storage medium.

Preferably, the digital copying machine further comprises means forstoring information of the functions of the printing means and thefinisher into the storage medium so that the information can be used byan external equipment such as a computer for generating the outputcontrol data.

Preferably, in order to store as much information as possible into thestorage medium having limited storage capacity, the image data iscompressed by encoding, and the digital copying machine furthercomprises means for expanding the compressed image data. Preferably, thedigital copying machine further comprises means for erasing outputcontrol data and image data stored in the storage medium after printingthe image data.

According to the digital copying machine of the present invention asmentioned above, by storing the image data of a document, etc. preparedby an external equipment such as a personal computer and output controldata into the removable storage medium, and installing the storagemedium in the digital copying machine of the present invention, thedigital copying machine prints image data read out from the storagemedium offline in a desired output form. As a result, a user candirectly copy a document in copies of a predetermined number using thedigital copying machine of the present invention, without the need forcopying an original which is previously printed by a nearby printer. Inthis case, the image quality of a copy is advantageously not degraded.

Also, by controlling the sorter or finisher of the digital copyingmachine according to output control data stored in the storage medium, auser can specify the number of copies, a sorting or stapling method,etc. when a document, etc. is prepared by an external computer.

Furthermore, by previously storing (downloading) information offunctions provided in the the digital copying machine, for example, theprinting means and the sorter or finisher, a user can effectively useall the functions of the digital copying machine.

According to a second aspect of a digital copying machine of the presentinvention, the digital copying machine comprises means for reading anoriginal image to reproduce the image data of the original image, meansfor printing an image according to given image data, means for accessinga removable storage medium, and means for controlling the image readingmeans according to read control data stored in the storage medium sothat the image reading means can read an original image so as to producethe image data of the original image to be stored in the storage medium.

In the above aspect, preferably, in order to generate the read controldata using an external equipment such as a computer, the digital copyingmachine further comprises means for storing information of the functionof the image reading means into the storage medium. Preferably, thedigital copying machine further comprises means for compressing imagedata given by the image reading means.

According to the digital copying machine of the present invention asmentioned above, offline image input using an image scanner function isreadily implemented. That is, read control data obtained by using theimage scanner, for example, a read gradation level, a read size, animage compressing method, the degree of edge enhancement, contrast, readdensity, and an image data file name are stored in a removable storagemedium using software executed in an external computer. Then, thestorage medium is installed in the digital copying machine, an originalto be read is set in the digital copying machine, an original image isread according to the read control data stored in the storage medium,and image data is stored in the storage medium. A user removes thestorage medium from the digital copying machine and installs it in apersonal computer, for example, and desired image data can be read outfrom the storage medium to the personal computer.

According to a first aspect of an image reader of the present invention,the image reader comprises an image sensor for converting opticalinformation from an original image to an electric signal, an A/Dconverter for converting the electric signal given by the image sensorto a digital image signal, an image processor for processing the digitalimage signal to produce image data, means for accessing a removablestorage medium, and means for controlling the image processor accordingto read control data stored in the storage medium so that the imageprocessor can produce the image data to be stored in the storage medium.

According to a second aspect of an image reader of the presentinvention, the image reader comprises an image sensor for convertingoptical information from an original image to an electric signal, an A/Dconverter for converting the electric signal given by the image sensorto a digital image signal, an image processor for processing the digitalimage signal to produce image data, an interface for transmitting theimage data to an external equipment, means for accessing a removablestorage medium, and means for selecting either transmitting the imagedata to the external equipment by the interface or storing the imagedata into the storage medium by the accessing means.

According to the image reader of the present invention as mentionedabove, a user stores read control data, for example, a read gradationlevel, a read size, an image compressing method, the degree of edgeenhancement, contrast, read density, and an image data file name into aremovable storage medium using software executed in an externalcomputer. Then, the storage medium is installed in the image reader ofthe present invention, and an original to be read is set in the imagereader. The image reader of the present invention reads an originalimage according to the read control data stored in the storage medium,and read image data is stored into the storage medium. Thus, an offlineimage input function is implemented. A user removes the storage mediumfrom the image reader of the present invention and installs it in apersonal computer, etc., and desired image data can be read out from thestorage medium to the personal computer, etc.

By providing the image reader with the offline image input function asmentioned above, in addition to a conventional one-to-one interface withan external equipment, the image reader can be connected one to one to apersonal computer of a user who uses the image reader most frequently,and other users can use the image reader using the offline image inputfunction without changing the connection.

Also, the image reader of the present invention can output read imagedata offline in a different read form for each user into the storagemedium. Furthermore, a user can readily generate read control data usingthe user interface of a personal computer, for example. Even if acomputer is not connected to the image reader as in the case of aportable note-type computer, an original image can be readily readoffline using a memory card, etc.

Furthermore, the image reader of the present invention can downloadinformation of the image read function of the image reader to thestorage medium, so that a user can readily utilize all the functions ofthe image reader.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a digital copying machine accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a flow chart for a signal in thedigital copying machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an example of the content of a print function informationfile;

FIG. 4 illustrates the relationship between staple positions andposition numbers;

FIG. 5 illustrates a dialog box for setting a print function by a user;

FIG. 6 illustrates the content of a print job command file;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for a process executed by a printer driver;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a digital copying machine providedwith a finisher according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates the content of a read function information file;

FIG. 10 illustrates a dialog box for setting a read function;

FIG. 11 illustrates the content of a scan job command file;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for software that generates a scan job commandfile;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a flow chart for a signal in aconventional digital copying machine;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a flow chart for a signal in an imagereader according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the image processor in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 shows an example of the connection between an image readeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention and an externalequipment;

FIG. 17 illustrates the content of a read function information file;

FIG. 18 illustrates a dialog box for setting a read function;

FIG. 19 illustrates the content of a scan job command file;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart for software that generates a scan job commandfile; and

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a flow chart for a signal in aconventional image reader.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectionalview schematically showing the internal structure of a digital copyingmachine of this embodiment. This digital copying machine comprises anauto document feeder (ADF) 50 provided on a glass sheet 1, an imagescanner section 100 provided beneath glass sheet 1, a laser printersection 200 provided independently beneath image scanner section 100,and an operation section 300 provided at the side of glass sheet 1.Operation section 300 is provided with a PC card slot 89.

Image scanner section 100 comprises an exposure lamp 101, a first mirror102, a constant-speed unit 103, a second mirror 104, a third mirror 105,a half-speed unit 106, a lens 107, and an image sensor 108.

Laser printer section 200 comprises a laser scanner unit 201, a mirror202, a photoconductor drum 203, a main charging device 204, a developingdevice 205, a transfer charging device 206, a cleaner 207, a discharginglamp 208, a carrier belt 209, a fixing device 210, a guide 211, a paperdischarge roller 212, paper feed rollers 213, 214 and 215, a guide 216,a timing roller 217, paper cassettes 218, 219 and 220, and a sorter 221.Laser scanner unit 201 comprises a semiconductor laser, a polygonalmotor, a polygonal mirror, and a laser optic system.

The basic operation of this digital copying machine will be describedbelow. A plurality of originals put on ADF 50 are set downward ontransparent glass sheet 1 one by one. When exposure lamp 101 exposes anoriginal, reflected light from the original is reflected to secondmirror 104 by first mirror 102. Constant-speed unit 103 comprisingexposure lamp 101 and first mirror 102 moves in the direction of anarrow P at a constant speed to scan the original. Half-speed unit 106comprising second mirror 104 and third mirror 105 further reflects thereflected light from first mirror 102 and moves in the same direction asthat of constant-speed unit 103 at half the speed of constant-speed unit103. The reflected light from the original through half-speed unit 106is focused by lens 107 to be focused on image sensor 108.

Photoconductor drum 203 rotates in the direction of arrow R at aconstant speed. Main charging device 204 charges photoconductor drum 203uniformly. Laser beams from laser scanner unit 201 are reflected bymirror 202 to form an electrostatic latent image on photoconductor drum203. Developing device 205 develops the electrostatic latent image usinga toner to form a toner image on photoconductor drum 203.

Cassettes 218, 219 and 220 are removable, and plural types of paperhaving different combinations of paper sizes and directions are held inrespective cassettes. Paper feed rollers 213, 214 and 215 feed sheets ofpaper in the cassettes one by one. Guide 216 guides the fed paper totiming roller 217. Timing roller 217 controls paper feed timing toregister the fed paper to the toner image on photoconductor drum 203.The toner image on photoconductor drum 203 is transferred to the paperby the electric field generated by transfer charging device 206. Carrierbelt 209 moves in the direction of an arrow Q to carry the paper tofixing device 210. Fixing device 210 fixes the toner on the paper byheat.

The paper from fixing device 210 is guided to sorter 221 through guide211 and paper discharge roller 212. Sorter 221 comprises a plurality ofpaper discharge trays (bins) and performs sorting in copying for eachcopy. Also, sorter 221 comprises a staple function and a punch function.Cleaner 207 removes any residual toner on photoconductor drum 203.Discharging lamp 208 exposes photoconductor drum 203 to eliminate theelectric charge on photoconductor drum 203.

Next, the flow of a signal in the digital copying machine of thisembodiment will be described by referring to FIG. 2. Reflected lightfrom an original obtained by scanning the original is converted to anelectric signal by an image sensor 71, and then converted to a digitalimage signal by an A/D converter 72. This digital image signal issubjected to image processing such as edge enhancement, trimming, andhalftone processing, and edit processing in an image processor 73. Animage signal from image processor 73 is stored in a buffer memory 74 forcontrolling a speed to be given to a laser driver 78. Laser driver 78drives a semiconductor laser 79, and an electrostatic latent image isformed on the drum by laser beams from semiconductor laser 79.

Buffer memory 74 is connected to a page memory 84. Page memory 84, a CPU85, a LAN controller 80, a parallel I/F 81, a communication control unit(CCU) 82, a compressor/expander 86, and a PC card controller 88 aremutually connected by a CPU bus 83.

CPU 85 comprises a RAM and a ROM and controls the entire digital copyingmachine. Page memory 84 has capacity that can store at least one page ofimage data. Image data stored in page memory 84 is given to laser driver78 through buffer memory 74 to be printed on paper.

LAN controller 80 communicates with an external equipment through alocal area network (LAN). When the digital copying machine is used as afacsimile transmission server, an external equipment such as a computertransmits the telephone number of a transmit destination and image datato the digital copying machine through the LAN. CPU 85 controlscompressor/expander 86 to compress the image data received from theexternal equipment through the LAN as required.

CCU 82 transmits the image data compressed in compressor/expander 86 toan external facsimile through a public network using a modem 87.

Also, using parallel I/F 81, the digital copying machine and an externalequipment can be connected one to one. In this case, the digital copyingmachine can be controlled from a nearby computer. By executing dedicatedsoftware for controlling a digital copying machine on a computerconnected to the digital copying machine, a copy mode such as thenumbers of pages and copies, a paper size, copy density, a magnificationrate, both side copy, and a sorting method can be set. Also, complicatededit setting such as the setting of frame erasure or a trimming area, orthe setting of the reversal and its area can be done using the displayand the mouse of the computer.

Image data received by facsimile is expanded in compressor/expander 86,transferred to page memory 84, and printed. Image data read forfacsimile transmission is stored in page memory 84, compressed incompressor/expander 86, and transmitted to an external facsimile throughCCU 82 and modem 87.

PC card controller 88 controls an access from CPU 85 to the memory cardinstalled in a PC card slot 89. If a print job command file storingprint control data and an image data file to be printed exist in thememory card installed in PC card slot 89, this digital copying machineprints image data according to the print control data.

In the digital copying machine, installation of optional equipment suchas a sorter and a finisher and an edit function to be set differaccording to individual option structures. By storing information of aprinter function into the memory card as a print function informationfile, usable functions can be readily utilized offline. The detail ofthis offline print function will be described later.

Also, if a scan job command file storing read control data exists in thememory card installed in PC card slot 89, this digital copying machinereads the image of a set original according to the read control data andgenerates an image data file to be stored into the memory card. Readingof an original is started when a user pushes a start button of operationsection 300 after setting the original. In the digital copying machine,installation of an optional equipment such as an ADF and an image readfunction differs according to individual option structures. By storinginformation of the image read function of an image scanner into thememory card as an image read function information file, usable functionsare easily utilized offline. The detail of this offline image inputfunction will be described later.

Offline Print Function

An offline print function in the digital copying machine of thisembodiment will be described. A user previously installs his memory cardin the digital copying machine and downloads a print functioninformation file to the memory card. An example of the content of aprint function information file is shown in FIG. 3.

The content of the print function information file is shown in thefollowing format for each row:

Function item, a list of selectable functions; or

Function item, function capability.

The first setting value in each list of selectable functions is adefault value. The content of the print function information file shownin FIG. 3 will be described below.

A first row: A paper size can be selected from A4, A4R, B4, A3, B5, andB5R, and the default is A4.

A second row: Resolution is selected from either 400 DPI (dots per inch)or 600 DPI, and the default is 400 DPI.

A third row: A gray level (the number of data bits per pixel) isselected from 1, 2, 4, and 8, and the default value is 1 bit.

A fourth row: An image data file format is selected from TIFF (taggedimage file format), JPEG (joint photographic experts group), and PCL5(printer control language 5), and the default is TIFF.

A fifth row: When TIFF is selected as the image data file format, a datacompressing method is selected from G3 (MH), G4 (MMR), RLE (run length),and LZW (Lenpel-Ziv-Walsh), and the default is G3.

A sixth row: A both side print function can be used. Whether using thefunction or not can be set, and a one side print in which the both sideprint function is not used is set as a default.

A seventh row: A center binding function can be used. When the centerbinding function is used, page order is rearranged to print two pages onone side of paper having twice the area size of an image. The centerbinding function is not used as a default.

An eighth row: A sorter can be used. Nonuse of the sorter, stacking foreach page, or sorting for each copy can be specified. The default isnonuse of the sorter.

A ninth row: The number of the paper discharge trays of the sorter is20. Therefore, more than 20 copies can not be sorted.

A tenth row: When the sorter function is used, the maximum number ofpaper sheets that can be stacked in each tray is 100.

An eleventh row: A stapler can be used, and it is not used as a default.

A twelfth row: When the stapler is used, a staple position can beselected from positions 1–4. The default is position 1. The relationshipbetween positions 1–4 and the actual staple positions is shown in FIG.4.

A thirteenth row: When the stapler is used, the maximum number of papersheets that can be stapled is as shown.

A fourteenth row: A puncher can be used, and it is not used as adefault.

A fifteenth row: When the puncher is used, the maximum number of papersheets that can be punched is as shown.

A user produces a document or an image using application software forproducing document/image such as word processor or desk top publishing(DTP) software executed on a personal computer. Printer driver softwarefor the digital copying machine of this embodiment is previouslyinstalled in the user's personal computer. When the document or theimage produced by the user is printed offline using the digital copyingmachine of the present invention, a memory card to which a printfunction information file is downloaded is installed in the user'spersonal computer. The user starts the printer driver from theapplication software for producing document/image. The printer driverrefers to the print function information file stored in the memory cardto display a dialog box for setting the print function of the digitalcopying machine on the personal computer display.

An example of a dialog box corresponding to the print functioninformation file in FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, box areas onthe right side of “START Page-END Page”, “Copies”, and “Data File Name”are edit boxes. A print start page, an end page, the number of copies,and an image data file name are entered in respective edit boxes. Marks◯ are radio buttons that are alternatively selected. Marks ● indicateselected functions. When TIFF is selected as the image data file format,“TIFF Compression” is valid. When “Sort” is set for “Sorting Condition”,the printer driver checks the “Max Sort” and “Max Stack” values of theprint function information file, and if the values are inconsistent withthe setting of the numbers of copies and pages, the printer driver warnsthe user. Similarly, when the staple function or the punch function isused, the printer driver checks the “Max Staple Sheets” and “Max PunchSheet” values of the print function information file, and if the valuesare inconsistent with the setting of the numbers of copies and pages,the printer driver warns the user.

The user clicks an OK button by the mouse after setting each function ofthe dialog box. The printer driver generates a print job command fileand an image data file according to the setting in the dialog box andstores the files into the memory card. The content of the print jobcommand file corresponding to the setting of the dialog box in FIG. 5 isshown in FIG. 6. “Reset” of the print job command file in FIG. 6indicates to reset the set values of the print function to defaultvalues. For “Data File”, an image file name to be printed is written. InFIG. 5, the image file name is “sample.tif”. One image file has imagesof plural pages (multi-page image). Also, one print job command file mayhave a plurality of jobs. Therefore, it is possible to print out aplurality of image files with different print function settings.

The flow chart of the printer driver is shown in FIG. 7. The printerdriver reads the print function information file from the memory cardand displays the dialog box for setting a print function according tothe file. The user clicks the OK button after setting each function ofthe dialog box. The printer driver checks whether the setting of thedialog box is incorrect or not, and if the setting is incorrect, theprinter driver displays a warning to urge the user to correct anincorrect part. If the setting is correct, a print job command file andan image data file are generated to be stored in the memory card.

The user pulls out the memory card storing the print job command fileand the image data file from the user's personal computer and insertsthe memory card into PC card slot 89. CPU 85 detects through PC cardcontroller 88 that the memory card is inserted and searches if the printjob command file exists in the memory card. If the print job commandfile exists, CPU 85 analyzes the print job command file and performssetting required for the control circuits of the laser printer part andthe sorter part.

CPU 85 refers to the image data file name in the print job command fileto read the image data file from the memory card for printing. If theimage data is compressed, CPU 85 stores the image data into page memory84 using compressor/expander 86. When printing with center binding, thepage order of the image data file is not the same as the order forprinting, and therefore CPU 85 controls the printing of each page in theimage data file in suitable order. When all printing as specified in theprint job command file is completed, CPU 85 erases the print job commandfile and the image data file stored in the memory card.

By storing the image data of a document and output control data (printjob command file) into the removable storage medium using a user'spersonal computer, and installing this storage medium in PC card slot 89of the digital copying machine, the image data stored in the storagemedium can be printed offline in a desired output form. Therefore, theuser can specify the number of copies, a sorting method, and a staplingmethod, when the document is prepared by the personal computer. It isnot necessary to print an original by a nearby printer once and copy theprinted original as conventionally, and the image quality does notdeteriorate. Even if the external equipment is not connected to a LAN asin the case of a portable note-type computer, offline print can bereadily performed using the memory card and the digital copying machineof the present invention.

Also, for a fast-speed copying machine, the structure of optionalequipment such as a sorter and a finisher varies, so that it isdifficult for a user to fully use the functions of each copying machinewhen a plurality of the copying machines are used. A digital copyingmachine shown in FIG. 8 is similar to the embodiment in FIG. 1 exceptthat a finisher 222 is installed instead of sorter 221. The finisherstacks printed paper for each copy and staples the paper. Particularlyin a digital copying machine, an electronic finisher for sorting foreach copy is used instead of a mechanical sorter. The electronicfinisher comprises mass storage means such as a hard disk device in thedigital copying machine, stores the image data of read original ofplural pages once, prints images of plural pages for each copy, andoutputs the sorted printed paper sheets for each copy.

When finisher 222 is installed in the digital copying machine instead ofmechanical sorter 221, a hard disk device is also added to the digitalcopying machine. Some finishers have the function of folding printedpaper. Also, in some cases, optional equipment called an automatic bothside unit must be installed in the digital copying machine for both sideprint. Thus, the print functions of digital copying machines of the sametype differ according to installation of optional equipment in thecopying machine. In the digital copying machine of the presentinvention, the print function information of the copying machine can bedownloaded to the storage medium, so that a user can readily set all theprint functions using the dialog box for setting a print functiondisplayed on the personal computer even if he does not fully know theprint functions of individual digital copying machines.

Offline Image Input Function

An offline image input function in an digital copying machine of anembodiment of the present invention will be described. A user previouslyinstalls his memory card in the digital copying machine and downloads aread function information file to the memory card. An example of thecontent of a read function information file is shown in FIG. 9.

The content of the read function information file is shown in thefollowing format for each row:

Function item, a list of selectable functions; or

Function item, function capability.

The first setting value in each list of selectable functions is adefault value. The content of the read function information file shownin FIG. 9 will be described below.

A first row: The size of an original to be read can be selected fromAuto, A4, A4R, B4, A3, B5, and B5R, and the default is Auto. When Autois selected, the digital copying machine automatically detects anoriginal size.

A second row: An original setting method can be selected from Auto, ADF,and Flat Bed, and the default is Auto. When ADF is selected, an originalis fed from the auto document feeder until there is no original to beread in the auto document feeder. When Flat Bed is selected, one sheetof an original put on the glass sheet is read. When Auto is selected, anoriginal from the ADF is read if the original is in the ADF, otherwise,an original on the glass sheet is read.

A third row: The maximum value of read resolution is 400 DPI.

A fourth row: The minimum value of read resolution is 25 DPI.

A fifth row: A gray level (the number of data bits per pixel) can beselected from 1, 2, 4, and 8 bits, and the default value is 1 bit.

A sixth row: A halftone process method can be selected from a simplebinarizing process (BI), a dither process (DT), and an error diffusionprocess (ED). The default is the simple binarizing process (BI).

A seventh row: An image data file format can be selected from TIFF, BMP(Bitmap), and JPEG, and the default is TIFF.

An eighth row: When TIFF is selected as the image data file format, adata compressing method can be selected from G3 (MH), G4 (MMR), RLE (runlength), and LZW, and the default is G3.

A ninth row: Whether a both side read function is used or not can beselected, and one side read is set as a default. (The both side readfunction is not used.)

A tenth row: The function of controlling contrast in reading can beselected from Auto (automatic), −2 (low contrast), −1, 0, 1, and 2 (highcontrast). The default is Auto.

An eleventh row: The function of controlling read density can beselected from Auto (automatic), −2 (light), −1, 0, 1, and 2 (dark). Thedefault is Auto.

A twelfth row: The function of controlling the degree of edgeenhancement in reading can be selected from Auto (automatic), −2 (weakedge enhancement), −1, 0, 1, and 2 (strong edge enhancement). Thedefault is Auto.

A thirteenth row: A read area can be specified. The default is settingin which a read area is not specified. (i.e., the entire area of anoriginal size is read.)

A fourteenth row: The specified unit for a read area is a millimeter(mm).

For offline image input using the digital copying machine of the presentinvention, a user installs a memory card to which a read functioninformation file is downloaded in his personal computer. Then, the userexecutes software for generating a scan job command file for the digitalcopying machine previously installed in the user's personal computer.This software refers to the read function information file stored in thememory card and displays a dialog box for allowing the user to set theread function of the digital copying machine on the display of thepersonal computer.

A schematic display of a dialog box corresponding to the read functioninformation file in FIG. 9 is shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, rectangularareas on the right side of “Scanning Resolution”, “Scanning AreaUpper-Left Position”, “Scanning Area Length”, and “Data File Name” areedit boxes for entering read resolution, an upper-left XY position of aread area, a length in the XY direction of the read area, and an imagedata file name respectively. Marks ◯ are radio buttons that arealternatively selected. Marks ● indicate selected functions. Only whenTIFF is selected as the image data file format is a selected function of“TIFF Compression” valid. Also, only when “Scanning Area Setting” is“Yes” are the setting values of “Scanning Area Upper-Left Position” and“Scanning Area Length” valid. Software for generating a scan job commandfile checks the “MAX Resolution” and “MIN Resolution” values of the readfunction information file, and if the values are inconsistent with thesetting of “Scanning Resolution” in the dialog box, the software warnsthe user.

The user clicks an OK button in FIG. 10 after setting each function ofthe dialog box. The software for generating a scan job command filegenerates a scan job command file according to the setting in the dialogbox and stores the file into the memory card. The content of the scanjob command file corresponding to the setting of the dialog box in FIG.10 is shown in FIG. 11. “Reset” of the scan job command file in FIG. 11indicates to reset the set values of the read function to defaultvalues. For “Data File”, the name of an image file that represents readimage data is written. In FIG. 11, the image file name is “sample.tif”.One image file has images of plural pages (multi-page image). Also, onescan job command file may have a plurality of jobs. Therefore, it ispossible to read a plurality of original images with different readfunction settings.

A flow chart for the process of the software for generating a scan jobcommand file is shown in FIG. 12. This software reads a read functioninformation file from the memory card and displays a dialog box forsetting a read function according to the file. The user clicks the OKbutton after setting each function of the dialog box. This softwarechecks whether the setting of the dialog box is incorrect or not, and ifthe setting is incorrect, the software displays a warning to urge theuser to reset the dialog box. If the setting is correct, a scan jobcommand file is generated to be stored in the memory card.

The user pulls out the memory card storing the scan job command filefrom his personal computer and inserts the memory card into PC card slot89 of the digital copying machine of the present invention. CPU 85detects through PC card controller 88 that the memory card is insertedand searches if the scan job command file exists in the memory card. Ifthe scan job command file exists, CPU 85 analyzes the scan job commandfile and performs setting required for the control circuits of the imagescanner part and ADF 50 part and image processor 73. Read image data isstored in page memory 84. CPU 85 controls compressor/expander 86 tocompress the image data stored in the page memory and stores thecompressed image data into the memory card with an image data file namespecified in the scan job command file.

The user pulls out the memory card storing the image data file from thedigital copying machine and installs the memory card in the user'spersonal computer. The user accesses the image data stored in the memorycard using document generation/image edit software executed in thepersonal computer.

As mentioned above, when the image input function of the digital copyingmachine of the present invention is used, image read control data (scanjob command file) is stored into the removable storage medium, and thisstorage medium is installed in the PC card slot of the digital copyingmachine. This allows the digital copying machine of the presentinvention to output read image data offline in a desired read form intothe storage medium, and the user can readily generate read control datausing a user interface of the personal computer. Even if the externalequipment is not directly connected to the digital copying machine ofthe present invention as in the case of a portable note-type computer,an original can be readily read offline using the memory card.

Also, for a copying machine, the structure of optional equipment, suchas with or without an ADF, and an ADF function (e.g., whether both sidecan be read or not, whether an automatic detection function for anoriginal size is included or not), with or without a slide read device,varies, so that it is difficult to specify the image read function ofthe copying machine. The image read functions of copying machines of thesame type differ according to the installation of optional equipment inthe copying machine. However, by downloading the image read functioninformation of the copying machine to the storage medium, a user canreadily utilize usable functions even if he does not fully know theimage read function of the digital copying machine.

While the memory card is used as a removable storage medium in thisembodiment, similar effects can be obtained using a floppy disk, opticaldisk, a removable hard disk, etc. Also, while a monochrome digitalcopying machine is described in this embodiment, the same is true for acolor copying machine. Furthermore, while the function information filesand the job command files are described as character data files in thisembodiment, a file encoded to binary data may be used.

Next, an image reader of an embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed by referring to the figures. FIG. 14 is a block diagramshowing a flow chart for an image signal of an image reader of thepresent invention. In FIG. 14, like components as in FIG. 21 are givenlike reference numerals. The structure and operation of the image readerwill be described. An image sensor 171 scans an original to convertreflected light from the original to an electric signal (analog imagesignal). An A/D converter 172 converts the analog image signal from theimage sensor to a digital image signal. An image processor 173 performsimage processing such as edge enhancement, trimming, halftoneprocessing, gradation level conversion, and pixel density conversion,and edit processing on the digital image signal for image data output.

A buffer memory 174 stores the image data from image processor 173. ACPU 185 comprises a RAM and a ROM and controls the entire image reader.CPU 185, a PC card controller 187, a DMA controller 180, a SCSIcontroller 181, and an image compressor 186 are mutually connectedthrough a CPU bus 183.

DMA controller 180 transfers the image data stored in buffer memory 174to image compressor 186. Image compressor 186 compresses the image datatransferred from DMA controller 180 to produce compressed image data.The compressed image data is DMA transferred to SCSI controller 181 byDMA controller 180. A compressing method in image compressor 186 isselected from among a plurality of compressing methods by CPU 185. Anexternal equipment such as a computer transmits a control command forthe image reader to the image reader through SCSI controller 181 andreceives compressed image data from the image reader. CPU 185 sets thedegree of edge enhancement, an image data gradation level, read density,etc. according to the image read control command.

Personal computer (PC) card controller 187 controls an access from CPU185 to the memory card installed in PC card slot 189. If a scan jobcommand file storing read control data exists in the memory cardinstalled in PC card slot 189, the image reader reads the image of a setoriginal according to the read control data to store compressed imagedata into the memory card as an image data file. Reading of an originalis started when a user pushes a read start button after setting theoriginal.

In the image reader, an image read function and an image processingfunction differ according to an optional equipment structure, such aswith or without installation of optional equipment such as an ADF. Inorder to adapt to these various optional equipment structures, the imagereader of this embodiment has the function of storing the image readfunction information of an image scanner into the memory card as animage read function information file. The detail of this offline imageinput function will be described later.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of image processor 173 in FIG. 14. A gammaconverter 131, an edge enhancement circuit 132, a pixel densityconverter (zooming circuit) 133, a trimming circuit 134, and a gradationlevel converter 135 are connected to a CPU bus 183, and CPU 185 sets aprocess parameter for each circuit. Gamma converter 131 performs dataconversion on a 8-bit digital image signal. Gamma converter 131 is aconversion table using a RAM having a capacity of 256 byte and a 8-bitaddress line. RAM data is downloaded from CPU 185. CPU 185 sets readdensity and contrast characteristics by changing the conversion tablestored in the RAM.

Edge enhancement circuit 132 performs an edge enhancement process onimage data using a known two-dimensional space filtering method. CPU 185sets the degree of edge enhancement in edge enhancement circuit 132 bychanging a filter factor of a space filter. Pixel density converter 133performs pixel density conversion on image data by interpolation orthinning of the image data. CPU 185 sets the pixel density of outputimage data by changing the setting value of interpolation rate orthinning rate in pixel density converter 133.

Trimming circuit 134 cuts a desired rectangular area from read imagedata. CPU 185 sets the position and size of a cut area by changing thesetting value of the cut area. Gradation level converter 135 convertsimage data having 8 bits per pixel (256 gradation) to N-bit image data.N is selected from 1, 4, and 8. When N is 1, any one of a simplebinarizing process, a dither process, and an error diffusion process isselected as a binarizing process method. When N is 4, any one of highorder N-bit extraction, a multi-value dither process, and a multi-valueerror diffusion process is selected as a quantizing method. When N is 8,gradation level converter 135 produces 8-bit image data unchanged.Gradation level converter 135 produces converted image data as mentionedabove as a pack of 8 bit.

An exemplary connection between the image reader of the presentinvention and an external equipment is shown in FIG. 16. An image reader120 and a personal computer 121 are connected one to one by a SCSI cable122, and the user of personal computer 121 can directly use image reader120 online. Also, image reader 120 comprises a PC card insertion openingwhere a memory card 124 is installed in and removed from. Also, memorycard 124 can be installed in and removed from a note-type personalcomputer 125.

When the user of personal computer 125 obtains image data using imagereader 120, the image data is transferred offline from image reader 120to personal computer 125 using memory card 124.

Offline Image Input Function

An offline image input function in the image reader of this embodimentwill be described. A user previously installs his memory card 124 inimage reader 120 and downloads a read function information file to thememory card. The content of a read function information file is shown inFIG. 17. The content of the read function information file shown in FIG.17 will be explained below.

The format of the read function information file is shown as follows foreach row:

Function item, a list of selectable functions;

Function item, function capability; or

“if”, condition for selection, “then”, function item, a list ofselectable functions.

The first setting value in each list of selectable functions is adefault value. The content of the read function information file shownin FIG. 17 will be explained below.

A first row: The size of an original to be read can be selected fromAuto, A4, A4R, B4, A3, B5, and B5R, and the default is Auto. When Autois selected, the original size is automatically detected.

A second row: An original setting method can be selected from Auto, ADF,and Flat Bed. When ADF is selected, an original is fed from the autodocument feeder continuously. When Flat Bed is selected, one sheet of anoriginal put on the glass sheet is read. When Auto is selected, anoriginal from the ADF is read if the original is in the ADF, otherwise,an original on the glass sheet is read. The default is Auto.

A third row: The maximum value of read resolution is 1200 DPI.

A fourth row: The minimum value of read resolution is 25 DPI.

A fifth row: A gray level (the number of data bits per pixel) can beselected from 1, 4, and 8 bits, and the default value is 1 bit.

A sixth row: When 1 is selected as the gray level, a binarizing processmethod can be selected from any one of a simple binarizing process (BI),a dither process (DT), and an error diffusion process (ED). The defaultis the simple binarizing process.

A seventh row: When 4 is selected as the gray level, a quantizingprocess method can be selected from any one of a high order 4-bitextraction process (SIMPLE), a multi-value dither process (DT), and amulti-value error diffusion process (ED). The default is the high order4-bit extraction process.

An eighth row: An image data file format can be selected from TIFF, BMP,and JPEG, and the default is TIFF.

A ninth row: When TIFF is selected as the image data file format, and 1is selected as the gray level, a data compressing method can be selectedfrom G3 (MH), G4 (MMR), RLE (run length), and NO (no compression), andthe default is G3.

A tenth row: When TIFF is selected as the image data file format, and 4is selected as the gray level, LZW or NO can be selected as the datacompressing method, and the default is LZW.

An eleventh row: When TIFF is selected as the image data file format,and 8 is selected as the gray level, LZW, JPEG, or NO can be selected asthe data compressing method, and the default is LZW.

A twelfth row: When JPEG is selected as the image data file format orthe compressing method, the compression rate can be selected from anyone of Normal (normal compression rate), High (high compression rate),and Low (low compression rate), and the default is Normal.

A thirteenth row: The function of controlling contrast in reading can beselected from Auto (automatic), −2 (low contrast), −1, 0, 1, and 2 (highcontrast). The default is Auto.

A fourteenth row: The function of controlling read density can beselected from Auto (automatic), −2 (light), −1, 0, 1, and 2 (dark). Thedefault is Auto.

A fifteenth row: The function of controlling the degree of edgeenhancement in reading can be selected from Auto (automatic), −2 (weakedge enhancement), −1, 0, 1, and 2 (strong edge enhancement). Thedefault is Auto.

A sixteenth row: A read area can be specified. The default is setting inwhich a read area is not specified. (i.e., the entire area of anoriginal size is read.)

A seventeenth row: The specified unit for a read area is a millimeter(mm).

When obtaining the image data of an original using the image reader ofthis embodiment, a user installs memory card 124 to which a readfunction information file is downloaded as mentioned above in the user'spersonal computer 125. The user executes software for generating a scanjob command file for the image reader previously installed in hispersonal computer 125. This software refers to the read functioninformation file stored in memory card 124 to display a dialog box forsetting a read function of image reader 120 on the display of personalcomputer 125.

An exemplary dialog box corresponding to the read function informationfile in FIG. 17 is shown in FIG. 18. In FIG. 18, box areas on the rightside of “Scanning Resolution”, “Scanning Area Upper-Left Position”,“Scanning Area Length”, and “Data File Name” are edit boxes for enteringread resolution, an upper-left XY position of a read area, the length inthe XY direction of the read area, and an image data file namerespectively. Marks ◯ are radio buttons that are alternatively selected.Marks ● indicate selected functions. In FIG. 18, TIFF is selected as animage data file format, and 1 is selected as a gray level, so that G3,G4, RLE, and NO are valid as selectable “Compression” functions. Also,in FIG. 18, JPEG is not selected as a compression method nor a fileformat, so that selection of “Compression Rate” is invalid. Only when“Scanning Area Setting” is “Yes”, the setting values of “Scanning AreaUpper-Left Position” and “Scanning Area Length” are valid.

The software for generating a scan job command file checks the values of“MAX Resolution” and “MIN Resolution” in the read function informationfile, and if the values are inconsistent with the setting of “ScanningResolution” in the dialog box, the software warns the user. Similarly,when “Paper Size” (original size) is inconsistent with the settingvalues of “Scanning Area Upper-Left Position” and “Scanning AreaLength”, the software warns the user.

The user clicks an OK button in FIG. 18 after setting each function ofthe dialog box. The software for generating a scan job command filegenerates a scan job command file according to the setting in the dialogbox and stores the file into memory card 124. The content of the scanjob command file corresponding to the setting of the dialog box in FIG.18 is shown in FIG. 19.

“Reset” of the scan job command file in FIG. 19 indicates to reset theset values of the read function to default values. For “Data File”, thename of an image file that stores read image data is written. In FIG.19, the image file name is “sample.tif”. One image file has images ofplural pages (multi-page image). Also, one scan job command file mayhave a plurality of jobs. Therefore, it is possible to read a pluralityof originals changing read function settings.

A flow chart of the process of the software for generating a scan jobcommand file is shown in FIG. 20. This software reads the read functioninformation file from memory card 124 (step S1), and displays a dialogbox for setting a read function according to the file (step S2). Theuser clicks the OK button after setting each function of the dialog box(step S3). This software checks whether the setting of the dialog box isincorrect or not (step S4), and if the setting is incorrect, thesoftware displays a warning (step S5) to urge the user to reset thedialog box. If the setting is correct, a scan job command file isgenerated (step S6) to be stored in memory card 124.

Next, the user pulls out memory card 124 storing the scan job commandfile from his personal computer 125 and inserts memory card 124 into PCcard slot 189 of image reader 120. CPU 185 in image reader 120 detectsthrough PC card controller 187 that memory card 124 is inserted andsearches if the scan job command file exists in memory card 124. If thescan job command file exists, CPU 185 analyzes the scan job command fileand performs setting required for image processor 173. Image data readby image sensor 171 are stored in memory card 124 installed in the PCcard slot as an image data file through buffer memory 174, imagecompressor 186, and PC card controller 187.

The user pulls out memory card 124 storing the image data file fromimage reader 120 and again installs the memory card in his personalcomputer 125. The user utilizes the image data read out from memory card124 by using document generation/image edit software executed inpersonal computer 125.

While the memory card is used as a removable storage medium in the imagereader of this embodiment, similar effects can be obtained using afloppy disk, optical disk, a removable hard disk, etc. Also, while amonochrome image reader is described in this embodiment, the same istrue for a color image reader. Furthermore, while the functioninformation file and the job command file are character data files inthis embodiment, a file encoded to binary data may be used.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from thespirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosedin this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not limitative, the scope of the invention is indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are intended to be embraced therein.

1. An offline print method comprising the processes of: generating andstoring image data and output control data for printing out the imagedata in a common removable storage medium; and printing out the imagedata stored in the storage medium offline based on the output controldata stored in the storage medium, wherein in the generating and storingprocess, the image data and the output control data including an imagedata file format corresponding to the image data are generated andstored in the storage medium based on the image data file formatselected by a user from a plurality of image data file fomats.
 2. Amethod for creating output control data used in an offline print methodfor printing out image data stored in a removable storage medium basedon output control data of the image data for storing stored in thestorage medium, wherein the image data and the output control dataincluding an image data file format corresponding to the image data aregenerated and stored in the storage medium offline based on the imagedata file format selected by a user form a plurality of image data fileformats.
 3. An offline print method for printing out image datagenerated and stored in a removable storage medium offline based onoutput control data for printing out the image data generated and storedin the storage medium offline, wherein the image data and the outputcontrol data including an image data file format corresponding to theimage data are generated and stored in the storage medium offline basedon the image data file format selected by a user from a plurality ofimage data file formats.